|
Full Name |
Takefusa Kubo |
|
Date of Birth |
June 4, 2001 |
|
Age (as of 2026) |
25 years old |
|
Birthplace |
Asao-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan |
|
Nationality |
Japanese |
|
Height |
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
|
Weight |
148 lbs (67 kg) |
|
Position |
Right Winger / Attacking Midfielder |
|
Preferred Foot |
Left |
|
Current Club |
Real Sociedad (#14) |
|
Contract Expires |
June 30, 2029 |
|
Release Clause |
60 million euros |
|
Weekly Salary |
Approximately 100,000 euros |
|
Annual Salary |
Approximately 5.2 million euros |
|
Net Worth |
$15 Million to $20 Million |
|
Transfer Value |
20 to 30 million euros |
|
International Caps |
49+ caps, 7+ goals for Japan |
|
Marital Status |
Unmarried |
|
Brother |
Eiji Kubo (Cerezo Osaka) |
|
Nickname |
The Japanese Messi |
Who Is Takefusa Kubo?
Takefusa Kubo is one of those footballers who has been in the spotlight since he was a kid. Born on June 4, 2001, in Kawasaki, Japan, this guy was making headlines before most people his age had even figured out what they wanted to do with their lives. He joined Barcelona's famous La Masia academy at just 10 years old and scored 74 goals in a single youth season. That is not a typo. Seventy four goals.
Fast forward to 2026 and Kubo is now 25 years old, playing as a right winger and attacking midfielder for Real Sociedad in La Liga. He has been with the club since 2022 and has become one of their most important players. He is also a regular in the Japan national team and was part of their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Often called the Japanese Messi because of his dribbling ability and left foot, Kubo has carved out a career that most young footballers can only dream about.
Takefusa Kubo's Net Worth and Salary in 2026
Kubo has come a long way from earning 600,000 euros a year during his first loan at Mallorca. His current contract at Real Sociedad pays him approximately 100,000 euros per week, which works out to around 5.2 million euros per year before tax. That makes him one of the highest paid players in the Real Sociedad squad.
Icon Polls estimates that Takefusa Kubo's net worth in 2026 sits between $15 million and $20 million. This takes into account his accumulated salary earnings from Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, his various loan spells, endorsement deals in Japan where he is a major commercial figure, and his sponsorship income. Given that he still has three years left on his contract and his profile continues to grow internationally, that number is only going to climb.
Takefusa Kubo's Age
Takefusa Kubo turned 25 in June 2026. He was born on June 4, 2001. Despite being only 25, he already has nearly a decade of professional football behind him. He made his J-League debut for FC Tokyo at just 15 years old, becoming the youngest player to appear in a J-League match and later the youngest goalscorer in J-League history. The fact that he has this much experience at 25 is one of the things that makes him such an interesting player. He has already been through the kind of career ups and downs that most players do not face until their late twenties.
Takefusa Kubo's Wife and Personal Life
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This is one of the most searched questions about Kubo, so here is the honest answer. As of 2026, Takefusa Kubo is not married and has no publicly known wife or girlfriend. He keeps his personal life very private and has never confirmed any romantic relationship in interviews or on social media. He seems to be fully focused on his football career at this stage, which is pretty common for young professional athletes at his level.
What we do know about his family is that his father, Takefumi Kubo, played a huge role in his early development and was the one who pushed him toward football from a very young age. Kubo also has a brother named Eiji Kubo, who is a professional footballer playing for Cerezo Osaka in Japan.
Takefusa Kubo's Stats
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Kubo's career numbers tell the story of a player who has been steadily improving. In the 2025/26 La Liga season, he made 24 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists across 1,503 minutes. Those numbers were down from his 2024/25 campaign where he had 7 goals and 4 assists across 52 appearances in all competitions, but that drop was largely due to injuries rather than any decline in form.
His best statistical season at Real Sociedad came in 2022/23 when he bagged 9 goals and 4 assists in 35 La Liga appearances. That was the year he really announced himself as a top player in Spain. Over his entire club career, he has racked up over 237 appearances with 34 goals and 19 assists. On the international stage, he has earned 49 caps for Japan and scored 7 goals, including key contributions during the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
According to Icon Polls analysis, his creative output and dribbling numbers remain among the best in La Liga when he is fit. He is the kind of player whose impact goes beyond just goals and assists.
Takefusa Kubo's Injury History
Injuries have been one of the few things holding Kubo back from reaching his absolute peak. In January 2026, he suffered a hamstring injury that disrupted his season at Real Sociedad. He recovered in time to be named in Japan's 26 man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but his luck ran out again during the tournament.
In Japan's opening group match against the Netherlands, Kubo injured his left knee following a challenge by Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries. He had to leave the pitch in the 75th minute and was unable to play in Japan's remaining group matches against Tunisia and Sweden. He was also ruled out of the Round of 32 clash against Brazil, ending what was supposed to be his breakthrough World Cup tournament.
He also had an ankle injury in October 2025 and a muscle injury in April 2024. While none of these have been career threatening, the frequency has been a concern. Staying healthy will be the key to his 2026/27 season.
Dates Joined and Transfer History
Kubo's transfer history reads like a tour of Spanish football. Here is a quick timeline of his career moves:
2011: Joined FC Barcelona's La Masia academy at age 10. Left in 2015 due to FIFA sanctions against Barcelona for signing underage international players.
2015 to 2019: Returned to Japan and signed with FC Tokyo. Made his professional debut in the J-League at 15 and became the league's youngest ever player and goalscorer.
June 2019: Signed with Real Madrid for approximately 2.25 million euros.
2019 to 2022: Loaned out to four different Spanish clubs. He went to Mallorca (2019/20), Villarreal (2020/21), Getafe (January to June 2021), and back to Mallorca (2021/22).
July 19, 2022: Signed permanently with Real Sociedad for 6.5 million euros. Real Madrid retained a 50% sell on clause for any future capital gain.
His contract at Real Sociedad runs until June 2029 and includes a release clause of 60 million euros.
Transfer Values
Kubo's transfer value has fluctuated over the years depending on form and fitness. At his peak during the 2023/24 season, some sources valued him at over 30 million euros. As of mid 2026, his market value has been estimated at between 20 and 30 million euros depending on the platform. Icon Polls places his realistic transfer value in the range of 25 to 35 million euros, factoring in his age, contract length, and the fact that Real Madrid still holds a 50% sell on clause which complicates any potential move.
There has been consistent interest from Premier League and Bundesliga clubs, but Real Sociedad have shown no willingness to sell. With three years remaining on his deal and a 60 million euro release clause, any buying club would need to pay serious money.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Kubo was named in Hajime Moriyasu's 26 man squad for the 2026 World Cup and was seen as one of Japan's key creative players for the tournament. He started in the opening match against the Netherlands but suffered the knee injury that effectively ended his World Cup. Japan drew that match and went on to qualify for the knockout rounds, but Kubo's absence was felt. He was unable to play against Brazil in the Round of 32. His World Cup campaign was a disappointment for him personally, though Japan's squad depth meant they were able to cope without him.
Kubo also helped Real Sociedad win the Copa del Rey during the 2025/26 season, which was his first major trophy at club level.
Frequently Asked Questions About Takefusa Kubo
1. How old is Takefusa Kubo in 2026?
Takefusa Kubo is 25 years old. He was born on June 4, 2001, and turned 25 in June 2026.
2. What is Takefusa Kubo's net worth?
Icon Polls estimates his net worth to be between $15 million and $20 million as of 2026.
3. What is Takefusa Kubo's salary at Real Sociedad?
He earns approximately 100,000 euros per week, which comes to around 5.2 million euros per year.
4. Is Takefusa Kubo married?
No. As of 2026, Kubo is not married and has no publicly confirmed wife or girlfriend. He keeps his personal life very private.
5. What position does Takefusa Kubo play?
He primarily plays as a right winger but has increasingly been used as an attacking midfielder, especially for the Japan national team.
6. What team does Takefusa Kubo play for?
He plays for Real Sociedad in La Liga. He wears the number 14 shirt and has been with the club since July 2022.
7. Why is Takefusa Kubo called the Japanese Messi?
Kubo earned this nickname because of his exceptional dribbling skills, his left foot, and the fact that he trained at Barcelona's La Masia academy as a youngster, the same academy that produced Lionel Messi.
8. What happened to Kubo at the 2026 World Cup?
He injured his left knee during Japan's opening group match against the Netherlands after a challenge by Denzel Dumfries. He missed the rest of the tournament, including the Round of 32 match against Brazil.
9. What is Takefusa Kubo's transfer value?
His market value in 2026 is estimated at between 20 and 30 million euros. His contract includes a release clause of 60 million euros. Icon Polls places his realistic transfer value at 25 to 35 million euros.
10. Did Takefusa Kubo play for Real Madrid?
Yes. He signed with Real Madrid in June 2019 but never made a first team appearance. He was loaned out to Mallorca, Villarreal, Getafe, and Mallorca again before being sold to Real Sociedad in 2022.
11. Did Takefusa Kubo play for Barcelona?
He was part of Barcelona's La Masia youth academy from 2011 to 2015 but had to leave when FIFA sanctioned Barcelona for irregularities in signing underage international players.
12. What are Takefusa Kubo's career stats?
Over his club career, he has made over 237 appearances with 34 goals and 19 assists. For Japan, he has 49 caps and 7 goals.
13. When does Takefusa Kubo's contract expire?
His contract with Real Sociedad runs until June 30, 2029.
14. How much did Real Sociedad pay for Takefusa Kubo?
Real Sociedad signed him from Real Madrid for 6.5 million euros in July 2022. Real Madrid retained a 50% sell on clause for future capital gains.
15. Has Takefusa Kubo won any trophies?
Yes. He won the Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad in the 2025/26 season, which was his first major club trophy.
16. What injuries has Takefusa Kubo had?
He suffered a hamstring injury in January 2026, an ankle injury in October 2025, a muscle injury in April 2024, and a knee injury at the 2026 World Cup caused by a challenge from Denzel Dumfries.
17. Is Takefusa Kubo left footed?
Yes. His preferred foot is his left, which is a big part of why he is so effective cutting inside from the right wing.
18. How tall is Takefusa Kubo?
He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is 1.73 meters.
19. Does Takefusa Kubo have any siblings?
Yes. His brother Eiji Kubo is also a professional footballer who plays for Cerezo Osaka in Japan.
20. What languages does Takefusa Kubo speak?
Kubo speaks Japanese, Spanish, and some English. His time at Barcelona's academy as a child and his years playing in Spain mean he is fluent in Spanish.
21. Will Takefusa Kubo transfer in 2026?
As of August 2026, there is no indication that Kubo will leave Real Sociedad. He has three years left on his contract and is recovering from his World Cup knee injury. However, clubs in England and Germany have reportedly monitored him.
22. What number does Takefusa Kubo wear?
He wears the number 14 shirt at Real Sociedad.